Thread: NOT a fan of TRF BUT should we support this????? Possible warm up for Barmouth

This email is sent on behalf of Mike Irving, Chair of the Cambridge Group

Dear Trail Rider.

For too long now we have pontificated about who should do what and when we should do something about the continued reduction in the lanes available for us to ride. The TRF both Nationally and locally is doing a great job winning back some of the lanes but public opinion is against us and combined with the Authorities it is clear the agenda is to stop us riding the Green Roads.

It is time we made a stand and with the backing and in the name of the TRF we are going to start fighting back NOW before its too late.

April the 24th Is a Tuesday and most of us have to work. Significantly this particular Tuesday is the 80th Anniversary of the Kinder Trespass. Back in 1932 the Ramblers took on the game keepers and fought for the rights of everyone to be able to enjoy the countryside and opened up the lanes and footpaths of the country for everyone to enjoy.

They appear to have forgotten the “Everyone” bit and are now pushing local residents, landowners, Authorities in making it illegal for users of Motorised vehicles to use the lanes and will not let up until they have their way. I personally believe that once we are off the scene they will start on the Bicycles, Horses and then the ramblers themselves but that’s another story. We are going to remind them maybe even shame them into remembering the “EVERYONE” bit.

To do it you are required to take a day off work on Tuesday the 24th April, Team up with your mates and ride the Peak Trails in a responsible and proper manner. And whilst you are riding about enjoying yourselves I would like you to hand out leaflets* to everyone you see on the Trails. Put them on Car Windscreens, Hand them to residents, put them up in Shops. I want you to Make Tuesday the 24th Of April,the 80Th anniversary of the Kinder Scout Trespass to be the day the TRF and Trailriders came to town. I want to make the 24th April 2012 National Trail Riding Day. (* Leaflets will be available to print from the website nearer the time - Members Area - Members Files - TRF Files)

This will be the most important day off that you will ever take as far as it will mark the day that the Trailriders started to take back the Green Roads, not just for us but for everyone.

Get into groups of up to 6, Make your own way to the Peaks and have a good days trail riding. if attending email me at mike@mandktrading.co.uk closer to the time and I will tell you where we are going to meet for Lunch. I cannot tell you too soon as it will spoil the surprise.


I look forward to you support on the day. I am sorry its a work day but if you can manage it it will be worth while I assure you.

Kind Regards

Mike Irving
Cambridge TRF

Why arent you a fan of the TRF then??? - Cue the abuse!!!

Sorry, I got bored shitless by paragraph 3 if its anything worth while, count me in

I am in the TRF but TOOOOOOOOOOO clicky. NEVER been givena route. You may ride with us BUT we usually go out as a small group ourselves!!!!!!Only ever had a route off Pugwash, Broken Legs and Lanerboy and guess what? Yes they are all like minded KTM Forum members. Lanes to be SHARED and not kept as part of the secret soceity.

I'm a TRF member too. And it is clicky to a degree. Your right, they are very protective of certain things.

But yeah you should def support the protest, bit of a no brainer innit?

I dont see anyone else doing anything to keep the lanes open. Yeah it's easier to take piss (just as guilty mesen) but sometimes you have to stand and be counted.

I've booked the day off work for it, and if you want any lanes left to ride I think everyone on here should do the same.

(Or just leave it to someone else)

Originally Posted by Wayne Roome

I am in the TRF but TOOOOOOOOOOO clicky. NEVER been givena route. You may ride with us BUT we usually go out as a small group ourselves!!!!!!Only ever had a route off Pugwash, Broken Legs and Lanerboy and guess what? Yes they are all like minded KTM Forum members. Lanes to be SHARED and not kept as part of the secret soceity.

most of the eytrf arnt bad you can go on rides with them and they will give you routes i think the problem is that they dont want to give them out willy nilly and then joe bloggs takes his 30 motox mates lane are to be used and a lot of people just get maps and mark them up themselfs any way you dont need to be in the trf to do that and yes i proberly will go and show my support...

If you want routes learn how to read a map, if your too stupid to do that then serves you right for not knowing where to ride its easy.

Anyway, support the TRF, I am a TRF member and know their image is old fashioned (even my dad thought they are old fashioned) but they do great work and support them 100%.

ooooh thats a bit harsh. YES can read a map and do! Just sometimes the lanes are not worth travelling up so best if someone has a route to share. I lead a lot using what i have planned on Road Angel 7000. My point is, i receive ones, i share ones but TRF DONT. Just try asking the Peak & Potteries TRF for a ride out with them. Dont forget i pay my subscriptions, just cant break the door down to get in the click.
We digress, IS IT WORTH having a day off to ride for our rights whether you are in the TRF or not, simples?

Originally Posted by Rubber Jonny

If you want routes learn how to read a map, if your too stupid to do that then serves you right for not knowing where to ride its easy.

Anyway, support the TRF, I am a TRF member and know their image is old fashioned (even my dad thought they are old fashioned) but they do great work and support them 100%.

Your local TRF group may vary, but the Cambridgeshire group (why do the TRF insist on city names?) is pretty open and inclusive. Yes, there are long-standing friendships between members, but new members are always welcome along and can join a couple of club rides on a 'try-before-you-buy' kind of basis.

There are very few groups campaigning to keep the lanes open to motor vehicles, and whether or not you join your local group (it's optional), your membership money helps a lot in taking action to preserve the lanes.

As for getting routes and so-on, it takes a lot of effort and research to identify all the lanes we can ride, and as the group is a 'fellowship', it's a two-way thing where everyone should do their bit. If people turn up, copy the maps and routes without contributing anything and go off riding on their own I can understand why groups get a but annoyed.

Why not offer to lead a ride for your group? It doesn't take much to say "I'm riding at the weekend - anyone want to come along?", and then string some lanes together - why copy other's routes when you can make your own?

Unfortunately I cannot get up to Derbyshire for the 24th, but it'd be great to see as many people as possible out and about

A small but important detail needs reinforcing here I think. The TRF is not a riding club. It was formed and exists to protect the rights of all users of the nations unsurfaced roads. The rideouts and social side of it are purely a by product. If thats all your after then you are barking up the wrong tree, I'm afraid.
As said above, if you want routes, go out and learn them. Cant speak for any other groups, but my local one - Devon - supplies an overlay for Memory Map and one other system, with all legal lanes on it, with notes to tell you what to expect on a specific lane, free to all members. Plus, if you buy your own paper maps you can send them to a specified member who will mark them up for you with all the legal lanes!
To be totally honest, why would you want go riding with a load of beardy Serow riders anyway? Learn your own routes and go with your mates.